When we think about self it really all comes down to image. There is not one of us who doesn’t look at ourselves in the mirror and make judgements about what we see. Those judgements we make correlate to what we accept as normal in others. We see images of human bodies all the time and within less than a second automatically make a judgement about others. He is fat, she is overweight. She is too skinny and probably unhealthy, he is in pretty good shape other than that belly. If you are like most people who watch a few hours of TV a day or read magazines you probably see what is portrayed as the perfect body. These images stay implanted in our minds and flash just as quickly as the images of the people we see each day when judging ourselves.

We do this with our bodies, we do this with our clothing, we even do this with shoes. We judge. Again, there is not one single one of us who don’t pass judgements both on others or on ourselves. Why do we do this? I really don’t know but it seems to be a human trait that we were all born with. Even the cars we drive we believe say something about us because when we see other’s driving specific types of cars we are quick to classify them into particular group of people.

Our judgements of others even shows in the way we choose to approach people. Our conversations are much different between someone wearing an old pair of jeans and T-shirt than it would be with someone wearing a smart looking suit. We make inner decisions about their level of education and social status before we even speak the first word.

I believe that in a way the judgements we make about the person we see in the mirror each day is based on the desire to fit into a certain group of people. We are humans and like the wolf we are pack animals. We all want to feel that we belong and painting a portrait of ourselves is our way of letting others in the group know we are a part of the group.

This whole philosophy is the driving force behind our economy. It dictates the things we purchase and also allows corporations to take advantage of great earnings based on our self imaging. It dictates the homes we live in, the cars we drive, what we eat, where we eat and how we dress.

Even as a minimalist who understands this driving force finds themselves trying to fit in with their particular group. Although we think of ourselves as being disconnected from the same desires of most we still make judgements about other minimalists and ask the same type of questions about ourselves when we gaze into that mirror. Do I still own too much stuff? David just purchased a Tiny House, is mine too big? The Jones Family appears to be happy living with less, but for me where do I draw the line? Lisa calls herself a minimalist but look at the expensive dress she is wearing. How do I look?

As I child we all have heard those words spoken to us at one time, “Don’t Judge”. Sorry Mom, it just ain’t happening. I believe the phrase should be, “Don’t talk about your judgements”, because the bottom line is that we all cast judgements hundreds if not thousands of times each day. We even inquire about information to help us form opinions of others with questions we ask. “What do you do?” is a perfect example as we are meeting new people at a social event. We inherently want to know what group others are a part of, or what pack they belong to.

As social groups are constantly changing we see the strangest new things in young people. New trends bring about new groups of people. Tattoo’s and piercings, pants being worn too low or dressing like a gang banger. Different types of eye glasses and skinny jeans. The drive seems to be a lot stronger when we are younger and desperately trying to figure out where we fit in. But the same drive doesn’t end there, it continues throughout our lives as we go through all of the phases of life. We even try to pass some on to our children by dressing them a certain way. Even when we become Senior Citizens the drive to fit in and self image continues as we also continue to pass judgements on other Seniors.

So If we understand that we all cast judgements upon other’s and ourselves where is there a problem? The problem exist that many times our judgements are false. When we base our decisions strictly on what are eye’s can see we are only getting part of the whole picture. Rather than thinking “That person is who he portrays himself to be”, maybe we should be thinking, “That person may be who he portrays himself to be”. All the world is a stage and even when we think we have it all figured out we still continue to judge who we really are. We will continue to wear different hats and sometimes when we think we are a part of a particular group we quickly change courses when we discover that we really aren’t. We also discover that others really aren’t what they portray themselves to be, but like ourselves have a deep desire to belong.

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About SimpleLivingOver50

At 53 years old I am starting to realize how life changes both physically and emotionally. I strive for a life of simplicity. I am winning the battle with type II diabetes, created a plan to have all debt paid off in 4 years including the house, taking advantage of every opportunity to live life to it's fullest through adventures in nature, hiking, biking, loving and learning.

14 Responses to It’s all About Image

Nice to put a face to a name….Hello!!! I love that the Eiffel Tower is behind you….one of my favorite buildings/towers on earth…………good post….I stopped judging people way back when!!! All I can control is me….its funny….as I loose the weight I am changing back into the old bohemian woman I once was years ago…LOL I put on a set of clothes that I used to wear when I was heavier…I felt like a different woman…it was like they were weights holding me down…. I really need to figure out why I am not working at my weight…I have stalled out and seem to be perfectly happy where I am…however I need to drop at least another 50#’s to give my body a chance to get me through my 60’s and 70’s….I need to stay away from yeast products….they are my heroin…have a great Sunday my friend…kat.

Have a great Sunday as well Kat. As soon as I feel I am ready I have decided to take on a year long journey of eating healthy, fasting and working out. I will be specific with all foods like am with workouts. I will also discuss how I am feeling each day. I believe that I am ready to develop and put into action and words all of the things I have learned over the years.

that sounds wonderful….I am leaning toward something similar, but not as indepth as you get….I am thinking I need to just jump in full throttle to get back on track…its so frigin easy to fall back into old habit….aggghhhh I started this blog to journey my weight loss and path to better health…somewhere I got complacent…I get such inspiration from your post….and I am just getting into the Obesity Code, really eye opening….xxkat

Yes, it is a pretty eye opening book. Many of the things that the good doctor talks about I already knew. It is through his writing these things in a certain way that bring light to the subjects. I managed to put 31 freakin pounds back on in a matter of just a few months. This time I am going to succeed and I know that you will too.

I feel the same…I keep saying I knew that, but I didn’t know that about it…LOL hes got a good way of putting it so its fresh….I keep fluxuaing 5 up and 5 down….its time to stop that nonsense!!! I agree we both can do it….we have proved it…now its just getting my head and ass in gear and do it…I generally don’t say I will start tomorrow or the next day…but I am giving myself the remainder of April before I get radical with myself…no choice….it really is now or never…we can do this Billy…I will do what I did before, every time I got an urge to eat..I exercised…LOL it worked before it will work again…discipline….that’s all….kat

I agree. We can definitely do this. I believe with the practice of intermittent fasting this time I will find real success. That mixed with a little exercise and the right foods I see a fit, trim and healthy future coming our way.

Me too Billy…I am going to put fasting back into my fitness regime….it was something I used to practice regularly….hummmm how things fall by the wayside of our lives as we struggle through….putting me back first again, the little home we have made here is pretty much done…we aren’t putting anymore money into it otherwise we will never break even in the end…onward and upward…!!!!! We are strong hear us roar…..GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR lol

It’s human nature to judge, to seek out those most similar to us. It makes for a boring life but I believe most people don’t live an intentional life. And speaking as an invisible divorced female over 50 the sting of judgment is harsh and painful because you can change a lot about yourself but you can’t change your age.

Oh, I know this feeling well. I realized this rude awakening trying to find a job in this new world we live in. You fill out an online application which includes your date of birth and never get an answer back.

“Rather than thinking “That person is who he portrays himself to be”, maybe we should be thinking, “That person may be who he portrays himself to be”.

I really liked this quote. We may make a snap judgment that a person is authentic or trustworthy based on some internal measuring stick we have created, such as manner of speech, outward appearance, or income level. But we would be foolish to assume that everyone who outwardly measures up is inwardly the person whom he/she portrays. It doesn’t do much good, either, to assume that everyone is disingenuous, for many people are as authentic with us as we try to be with them. But to offer them the possibility — they may be genuine, while not jumping to naive conclusions and deciding that yes, of course they must be genuine, seems like a wise rule of thumb.

Keep on Keeping on

The idea of keep on keeping on is real. Even when you get to the point where you think that you have reached your potential, just keep moving forward and sooner or later you will reach the next stage of your mission. I suppose this applies to just about anything in life. I am sure that one day I will look back at all that I have accomplished and think that it wasn't too hard, hell, I look back now at where I am and where I was and think that it wasn't difficult. But the truth is that each step of the way feels difficult as we move forward into the unknown of our mission. The unknown knowledge, the unknown endurance and the unknown strength that we possess inside ourselves waiting to come out. I have beat the smoking habit, I will beat diabetes and I will arrive one day completely debt free. For this is my mission.